Kitchen Organizing Tips

Browse these easy organizing add-ons to help keep your kitchen clear of clutter

The kitchen is the busiest area in the home and a magnet for clutter. But keeping it organized will allow it to truly hum with efficiency. Start by giving the space a good cleaning, wiping down the insides of drawers and cabinets. Take a cold, hard look at what you've stored in each space. Are there duplicate gadgets? Spices so dated they've lost their potency? Toss or donate anything you no longer need. Bonus: As you weed out the excess, you may even find long-forgotten treasures pushed to the back of a cupboard.

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Before you put anything back, be sure its location makes sense. Store items where you'll need them most: utensils in the prep area, cookware within reach of the stove, tableware close to the dishwasher and ideally, near the dining area too. Also think about whether the storage you have meets your needs. If mail tends to pile up on a counter, don't fight it. Give it a home—a basket or cubby to neatly corral bills and correspondence. All kinds of accessories and systems are available, from inexpensive drawer dividers to brand-new custom cabinetry.stacking storage boxes. Label the fronts—CDs, socks, gift wrapping—to keep track of what's what.

1} EASY ADD-ONS Chrome-coated wire shelves mounted over a range or cooktop bring tools and seasonings to the heart of the meal-prep zone.

2} CUT CORNERS Look for revolving and swing-out shelving that make the most of the dead space in corner cabinets.

3} MIND THE GAP Here, because a few inches separated drawer units in a corner arrangement near the sink, a vertical gap became a perfect home to slide-out towel bars. A similar narrow space could be equipped to store trays.

4} ON DISPLAY Open shelving and sturdy hooks mean you never have to wonder where to find your favorite tools.